"Somewhere between Gladstone and Bowen, but we can't at this point be confident what populations may be affected. It's a matter of waiting another 24 hours," he said.

"I'm pretty sure by this time tomorrow we'll have a watch out for a more specific part of the coast."

The University of Queensland has temporarily closed its research station on Heron Island.

A university spokeswoman says guests and staff will stay in Gladstone until weather conditions improve.

Winds at the island are about 60 kilometres per hour with a four-metre swell, and the university says that is expected to deteriorate by Saturday.

Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) spokesman Mike Shapland says there are no other areas being evacuated at this stage.

"Nothing on the [weather] bureau site that gives us an indication ... as to where this might make landfall - our preparations of necessity have to be general," he said.

Rockhampton

Local disaster management groups have also begun preparing for the cyclone.

Rockhampton State Emergency Service (SES) controller Robbie Medlin says residents in areas likely to be affected by the cyclone should start preparing.

"Ensure that they don't have any debris around the yard, any toys, trampolines and the like, to ensure that their garden sheds are adequately bolted to the foundations," he said.

"Outdoor furniture and pot plants that may be in pergolas, gutterings and roofing are secure.

"[Ensure] there are no items of timber that may be hanging off their roof."

Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter is warning people living in low-lying areas to consider moving to higher ground as the cyclone approaches.

Councillor Carter says the council may consider activating its disaster response centre tomorrow but there are no plans to evacuate Great Keppel Island at this stage.

"We would urge the residents and those living on the island to consider their own position at this stage," he said.

"Great Keppel Island does not have a lot of people on it.

"But some of the other islands are further out. Evacuation takes a greater period of time, but we will certainly be monitoring and reviewing that situation tomorrow."

The chief executive officer of the Gladstone Ports Corporation, Leo Zussino, says port is open and it is business as usual.

Two coal ports near Mackay - Dalrymple Bay and Hay Point - suspended operations at the end of last week due to wild weather.

But Mr Zussino says they are monitoring the cyclone closely.

"Gladstone's having wonderful fine weather at the moment, a little bit of breeze, but we have no issues with loading ships," he said.

"With respect to any preparation, we monitor very closely any cyclonic activity and like last year, because of the category 5 cyclone, even though it was a long way away and wasn't affecting us, we got to the point of closing the port in preparation for such a significant cyclone."

North Queensland

The Mackay Regional Council says it is well equipped for an emergency situation if the cyclone crosses the coast.

Mayor Col Meng says residents should take precautions before the weekend.

"Everyone knows it's there. We just need to take precautions," he said.

"What I'd like to do is remind residents that it's time to have a think now, not wait until it gets here on the weekend, if it does come this way.

"Clean out your gutters, any overhanging branches, rubbish in general that's laying around your yard. Now's the time to pack it up and get it down to the station."

One of Queensland's biggest export terminals will close on Wednesday night because of strong winds generated by Cyclone Ului.

A spokesman for the Dalrymple Bay coal terminal south of Mackay says the outloading systems will be shut down from 10pm (AEST).

The spokesman says they will monitor weather conditions and the path of the cyclone.

Meanwhile, the operators of a number of Whitsunday Island resorts in north Queensland say there are no plans to evacuate staff or guests at this stage.

A spokeswoman for Long Island says they will continue to monitor the situation and people will be evacuated to the mainland if the cyclone poses a threat.

A spokeswoman for Hamilton Island says they are waiting for the next cyclone advice from the weather bureau before making any decisions.